Steering control solenoid structure



Dec. 16, 1947. w. B. ELMER STEERING CONTROL SOLENOID STRUCTURE FiledMarch 29. 1945 INVENTOR Wflfiam 15. [/me/t L Paw? ATTORNEY WITNESSES:

Patented Dec. 16, 1947 STEERING CONTROL SOLENOID STRUCTURE William B.Elmer, Lakewood, Ohio, assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation,East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March29, 1945, Serial No. 585,481

7 Claims.

My invention relates to steering control equipment for crafts movingthrough a fluid medium and more particularly relates to the operatingmechanisms for the rudders of torpedoes.

The introduction and general use of electric torpedoes also involved thegeneral introduction of solenoid operated rudders for torpedoes. Theconventional solenoid arrangement used to actuate torpedo rudders andelevators consists of four separate solenoids. These four solenoids arearranged in two pairs, one pair for the elevator rudders and one pairfor the steering rudders. Each solenoid has its own magnetic plunger andpull-rod which actuate the steering yokes to deflect the rudders eitherto port or starboard and actuate the elevating yokes to throw theelevator rudders either up or down all in response respectively to thesteerin and elevating controls.

The existing equipment is difficult to accommodate in the limited spacein the torpedo tail cone and at the bulkhead between the tail cone andafterbody. Further, the existing type of equipment, among a number ofother shortcomings, is diflicult to manufacture and assemble so thatthere be no leakage at the bulkhead.

One broad object of my invention is the provision of simpler, morereliable and cheaper electromagnetic rudder actuating means than knownheretofore.

Another object is the provision of leak-proof single solenoidrudder-actuating means for torpedo rudders.

It is also an object of my invention to so dispose the rudder actuatingequipment in the tail cone of a torpedo to lower the center of gravityof the torpedo.

The objects expressly made are merely illustrative of many other objectsand advantages obtained with my invention. Such other objects andadvantages will become more apparent from a study of the followingspecifications and the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a showing of a torpedo tail cone and a portion-o1 itsafterbody, both broken open to illustrate my invention in position;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the solenoid constructionused to control the rudders; and

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic showing of the electric control circuit for thesolenoids used to operate the rudders.

In Fig. 1, I designates the tail cone, and 2 the aiterbody of a,torpedo. The torpedo has the conventional stabilizing fins 3 and. 4 towhich the outer trunnions 5 and 6 of the rudders I and 8 are secured insuitable bearings, the inner bearings of the rudders being as shown inthe tail cone. The rudders are, in themselves, of conventionalconstruction, but the actuating means are radically different from themeans heretofore used. The inner ends of the rudders are rigidly securedto the yoke 9 curved so as not to interfere with the driving shaft i0.To this yoke 9 I secure a suitable crank arm I! to which I pivotallysecure the rudder actuating rod l2.

In the showing in Fig. 1, I have illustrated my invention in connectionwith the steering rudders. It is to be understood, however, that theelevating rudders or so-called elevators, disposed at right angles torudders I and 8 are provided With a yoke similar to yoke 9 and actuatedin the same manner as the steering rudders. Since the two structures arealike, it sufiices to show and describe but one pair of rudders.

The actuating rod I2 is rigidly secured as shown in Fig. 2 to thearmature l3 slidably disposed within the solenoid means, or assembly,I4. I rigidly weld or braze an internally threaded magnetic sleeve IE tothe bulkhead l6 disposed between the tail cone and the afterbody. Thissleeve I5 is welded to the afterbody in axial alignment with an openingin the bulkhead. In alignment with this opening and to the left endportion of sleeve I5, I braze the stainless-steel tube ll so that it isopen at the right and'pro- J'ects in the direction of the tail cone. Tothe left end of this stainless-steel tube I1 I braze a closing plug l8of magnetic material. The tube or sleeve l1 fits against a shoulder inthe plug It so that the combined structure of sleeve l1 and plug [8 areof like outer diameter throughout their combined lengths.

Over the sleeve I1 I slip the solenoid l9 from the left to abut againstthe bulkhead and then cover the solenoid with the can 20 of suitablemagnetic material. The can 20 is provided with an opening 2| so that theenergizing leads for solenoid I 9 may enter the can 28. To the left ofcan 20, I disposed a non-magnetic spacer 22. Abutting against thenon-magnetic spacer 22 I disposed the can 23'with its open end towardsthe left. This can 23 is of magnetic material like that of the can 20.so that there may be symmetry of the magnetic circuits. Solenoid 24 isthen inserted into the can 23 from the left. Can 23 is provided with asuitable opening 25 for the entry of the energizing leads for thesolenoid 24.

At the extreme left end of the assembly, I disposed the cover plate 25ofmagnetic material similar to the magnetic material of the'bulkhead,and then rigidly fastened the cover 26 to the plug I8 by means of thebolt and nut assembly 21 shown. At the sleeve I I disposed the sleevenut 28, having a guide opening 29 at the left for guiding the actuatingrod l2. The sleeve nut 28 is of magnetic materia h its magn ticcharacteristics matched to the magnetic characteristics of the bolt andnut assembly 21 and the cover plate 26 so that the magnetic circuits forthe two solenoids l9 and 24 are symmetrical.

During steering operation, the steering. control actuates the movablecontact element 30 to connect the solenoids l9 and 2.4 to the batteryB,depending upon the direction in which. therudder is to be thrown.Furthermore, the greater the departure of the torpedo fromthe desiredcourse, the more sections of the resistors 3| and 32 are shunted withthe result that the solenoids, depending upon which one is at the momentenergized, are energized more strongly when the torpedo has departedagreater amount from its desired course.

It will be noted that I have provided a unitary structure comprising asingle solenoid means consisting of two axial lined magneticallysymmetrical solenoids acting on a single armature. Since but onesolenoid assembly is used for each pair of control surfaces, these twoassemblies may be mounted at thelower portion of the bulkhead as shownfor one in Fig. 1, thereby lowering the center or gravity of thetorpedo, and thereby inherently adding to the stability of operation ofthe torpedo. For some purposes it is desirable to give the rudders asmall biasing force. This I provideby the use of a relatively weakspring 33.

While I have limited my discussion to the steering rudders only, I amnot to be limited to but one embodiment of my invention. It is readilyapparent that others, particularly after having had the benefit of theteachings of my invention, may devise similar unitary solenoidstructures for actuating the rudders of a tor.- pedo. I, therefore, donot wish to be limited to the particular showing herein made, but wishto be limited by the scope of the claims hereto appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. In apparatus for operating the rudder means of a torpedo-havingatail-con-e and a bulkhead disposed transverse of, the forward region ofthe tail cone, in combination, conventional rudder means mounted in theaft region of the tail-cone of the torpedo, actuating means forangularly deflecting the rudder means with reterence to the longitudinalaxis of the torpedo, said actuating means including a pair substantiallylike axially aligned contiguously disposed solenoids mounted on theforward face. of the bulkhead, a nonemagnetic sleeve at its outerperiphery at the aft end hermetically sealed to the bulkhead over anopening in the; bulkhead and its forward end'being sealed and.proiecting into said solenoids, an armature. disposed insaid sleeve andnormally'symmetrically. disposed with referencetosaid solenoids, amechanical coupling connected to the armatureand. projectin through theopen end of. the sleeve, an openin 'in the bulkheadinto the aft regionof thetail-cone and being connected to the: rudder means. and

means for selectively energizing said solenoids.

2; In apparatus for operating the rudder means of a torpedo having acone sh ned aft region and a bulkhead disposed transverse of the forwardpart of the-conesshaped region, in G ll bination, rudder actuating meansmounted in the aft part of the cone-shaped region, saidbulkhead havingan opening therein, control means for operating the rudder actuatingmeans, said last named means including a non-magnetic sleeve at itsouter periphery at its aft end hermetically sealed and rigidly connectedto th walls of the opening in the bulkhead and the forward end beingsealed, a pair of axially aligned contiguously disposed solenoidsdisposed over the sleeve and fixed thereto, an armature disposed in thesleeve, a mechanical coupling interconnecting the armature and therudder actuating means, and means for selectively energizing saidsolenoids.

3. In apparatus for operating the rudder means of a torpedo having acone-shaped aft region and a bulkhead disposed transverse of the forwardpart of the cone-shaped region, in combination, rudder actuating meansmounted in the aft part of the cone-shaped: region, said bulkhead havingan opening therein, control means for operating the rudder actuatingmeans, said last named. means including, a non-ma netic sleeve havingits aft end hermetically secured. to the walls of the opening. in thebulkhead, a sealing plug. in the forward end of. the sleeve, a pair of.axially aligned solenoids disposed in spaced relation on the sleeve,magnetic housing means for the solenoids secured to the sealing plug, anarmature ymmetrically disposed with reference to the solenoids withinthe sleeve, a

mechanical coupling between the armature and rudder actuating means, andmeans for selectivelyenergizing said solenoids.

4. In apparatus for operating the. rudder means of a torpedo having anafterbody, a tailcone, and a bulkhead of magneticmaterial disposedtransversely of the tail-cone near the junction of the, tail-cone andafterbody, provided with an opening below the. longitudinalaxis of thetorpedo, in combination, rudder actuating means disposed in. the aftregion of the tail-cone, control means for operating thev rudderactuating means, said. last named means including a nonmagnetic sleeveat its aft outer peripheral. end hermetically sealed tothe walls of theopening in the bulkhead, a. closurefor the forward end of the sleeve, asolenoid disposed on the sleeve ad.- jacent the bulkhead, a cup-shapedmagnetic cover. disposed over the solenoid so-that theopen end abutsagainst/the bulkhead, an annulus of non-magnetic material disposedagainst the bottom of they cup-shaped cover, a second cupshaped cover ofmagnetic material disposed on the sleeve so that theopen end is disposedinthe forward direction with the bottom of the cupshaped cover againstthe annulus of none-magnetic material, a second solenoid disposed on thesleeve and within the second cup-shaped cover, a. closure of magneticmaterial secured to the plug in the forward, end. of the sleeve. forclosing the open end of the. second oup-shaped cover, an armature in thesleeve, a connecting link between the armature and rudder actuatingmeans, and means for selectively energizing either of; the solenoids.

5. In. apparatus. for-operating: the rudder. means of a, torpedo havingan afterbody, a tail-cone, and a bulkhead of magnetic materialdisposedtransversely of... the tail-conenear theljunctionfoi the tail-cone andafter-body, provided withan opening below the longitudinal axis of thetorpedo, in. combination, rudder actuating means disposed in the. aftregion. of. the tail-cone, controlmeans for operating th rudderactuating means, said last named means including a non-magnetic sleeveat its aft outer peripheral end hermetically sealed to the walls of theopening in the bulkhead, a closure for the forward end of the sleeve, asolenoid disposed on the sleev adjacent the bulkhead, a cup-shapedmagnetic cover disposed over the solenoid so that the open end abutsagainst the bulkhead, an annulus of non-magnetic material disposedagainst the bottom of the cupshaped cover, a second cup-shaped cover ofmagnetic material disposed on the sleeve so that the open end isdisposed in the forward direction with the bottom of the cup-shapedcover against the annulus of non-magnetic material, a second solenoiddisposed on the sleeve and within the second cup-shaped cover, a closureof magnetic material secured to the plug in the forward end of thesleeve for closing the pen end of the second cup-shaped cover, anarmature in the sleeve, a connecting link between the armature andrudder actuating means, means for selectively energizing either of thesolenoids, and means for varying the energization of the solenoidselected to be energized.

6. In apparatus for operating the rudder means of a torpedo having agenerally cone-shaped aft region, a bulkhead of magnetic materialdisposed transverse of the cone-shaped region, said bull head having anopening therein disposed below the longitudinal axis of the torpedo, incombination, an internally threaded annulus disposed in registry withthe opening in the bulkhead, said annulus being hermetically sealed atits forward end to the bulkhead, a sleeve nut, having a bearlng region,threaded into the aft end of the annulus, a non-magnetic guide sleeveclosed at the forward end and open at the aft end, the aft end beinghermetically secured to the inner surface of the annulus, a pair of likesolenoids disposed in spaced relation on the guide sleeve, independentmagnetic circuits for the solenoids, means for securing the solenoidsand magnetic circuits on the guide sleeve, an armature disposed in theguide sleeve, rudder actuating means in th aft region of the torpedo, aconnecting link extending through the bearing means in the sleeve nut,between the armature and the rudder actuating means, and means forselectively energizing either of said solenoids.

7. In apparatus for operating the rudder means of a torpedo having agenerally cone-shaped aft region, a bulkhead of magnetic materialdisposed transverse of the cone-shaped region, said bulkhead having anopening therein disposed below the longitudinal axis of the torpedo, incombination, an internally threaded annulus disposed in registry withthe opening in the bulkhead, said annulus being hermetically sealed atits forward end to the bulkhead, a sleeve nut, having a bearing region,threaded into the aft end of the annulus, a non-magnetic guide sleeveclosed at the forward end and open at the aft end, the aft end beinghermetically secured to the inner surface of the annulus, a pair of likesolenoids disposed in spaced relation on the guide sleeve, independentmagnetic circuits for the solenoids, means for securing the solenoidsand magnetic circuits on the guide sleeve, an armature disposed in theguide sleeve, rudder actuating means in the aft region of the torpedo, aconnecting link extending through the bearing means in the sleev nut,between the armature and the rudder actuating means, means forselectively nergizing either of said solenoids, and means for varyingthe magnitude of the energization of said solenoids.

WILLIAM B. ELMER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 319,633 Sims June 9, 18852,051,974 Warner Aug. 25, 1936 1,588,932 Blair June 15, 1926 479,828Mumford Aug. 2, 1892 1,275,480 Seymour Aug. 13, 1918 2,016,507 McFall eta1 Oct. 8, 1935 809,796 Grabosch Jan. 9, 1906 1,622,723 Johnson Mar. 29,1927

